Washington (CNN) – Sen. Ted Cruz really does want healthcare reform, just not Obamacare, the Texas Republican said Thursday night.
The conservative firebrand and self-made arch-foe of the Affordable Care Act was on CNN’s “Crossfire” to defend the tactics he proposed that helped drive the United States to a government shutdown.

The puzzling thing is why the commentators and debate opponents allow people like Cruz to regurgitate the same lies over and again, unchallenged. And on the rare occasions when they are taken to task, they are allowed to simply change the subject.

Isn't being truthful still a Christian "ethic" (at least) or has the Bible been revised to permit lies if they are from professing Christians?

Have we become a nation of liars who don't care about the truth anymore? A lie is as good as the truth as long as enough people passionately want to believe it is true?

I would like to see news people challenge these things more forcefully and I offer the following suggestions.

1. Saying a lie frequently, louder, faster or rephrasing, doesn't make it true.
2. There is no such thing as a half-truth. Things are either true in their entirety or they are lies.
3. Get your facts right or don't make the claim. If you claim something is true when it really isn't, then it is a lie - even if you don't know it.

This debate may be a game to people like Cruz, but the very lives of many people depend on Obamacare. He should have the decency to stick to the truth or shut up.

The rich get richer they harbor their wealth in foreign ports not wanting to share their gains. Others come pleading to taste our liberty wanting a chance to be an American and without hesitation they drive the nails often die in military combat and do the lowly labor no one else will do. We deny them citizenship saying they do not benefit us.

I think about what the bible says Luke 12:48 Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Then how is it that sharing for those with much in a country more blessed than any on earth is no longer a priority.

Our Federal legislative body while requiring that a large percentage of all foreign aid packages must be spent purchasing American arms (billions and billions of dollars) in fact subsidizes the majority of patrons of John Boehner’s family owned bar via Lockheed Martin. This Majority Speaker of the House wants to punish education with lower budgets and target without second thought those that need food stamps because they can’t survive on our current minimum wage. Lobbyists have twisted the priorities of America and continue to do so unabated.

If congress would talk as much about creating jobs as they do cuts maybe we could get something real done... This is more about revenues than it is spending and you put this country back to work the debt takes care of itself.

Daniel,
Get it right! Yes the American people voted for Obamacare! Let's remember what Nancy Pelosi said "you have to pass it to see what's in it" ( watch the video you idiot)! SO NOW THAT WE SEE WHATS IN IT WE DONT WANT IT!!!!
Furthermore let's be realist, people voted for it because they heard two or there's things that the Democrats said as a SELLING POINTS!!!!! This Obamacare is crap!

If comments are not pre-screened as stated below in the terms and conditions, then why was my first comment never posted? It appears that moderators are controlling the spin on this interview by not letting someone post a positive review about Ted's debating skills... Come on CNN! My previous comment simply praised Cruz for easily turning a loaded question by Jones into an opportunity to put the host and his other guest on the defensive about Obamacare. It was great to watch!

Also, I find it interesting how offended Jones appeared with his facial expressions during the interview, even though he was the one asking the only offensive question. It was clear that Jones felt personally attacked when Obama's legislation was being discussed. In this interview, Cruz is the only one who is being personally attacked, yet he is the only one remaining calm. Sipping his water and thoughtful thinking of rebuttals shows a lot of class and maturity on his part.

Read the comments on the other Xfire comment board between these two. All I saw was Cruz, Cruz, Cruz. Is he paying the DNC to promote name recogniition? When people taste the ACA, or when the media starts the real debate, his name may have a different appeal. Can't believe all the personal attacks...who's paying for them? OFA?

I watched this interview and has everyone notice that Senator Cruz has a way of making his answers so long that the interviewer has a difficult time asking a follow-up question. The President has a tendency to do this as well and it irritates me then as well. But lets get back to Senator Cruz. he seems to constantly speak about the over 2 million people that has come to the Defund Obamacare website as some HUGE number. News flash over 150 million people work in America, 2 million is a pretty low number. He says that he is "concerned" about the 25% of Texans who do not have healthcare insurance. Has anyone reading this EVER hear him say anything to improve or help that 25% ??? If he were sincere about offering an "alternative" to the Affordable Care Act why didn't he speak on it during his faux filibuster!! Senator Cruz also does not seem to get that some of these companies that speak of taking their employees spouses healthcare off their roles is because they see a means to improve the company bottom line at the expense of their employees. The CEO of UPS makes 8 million dollars a year and yet he is going to do this to his employees. Why aren't these over paid CEO's challenged when they make these inhumane changes in company policy while the earn ridiculously high wages?? The problem with Senator Cruz is just doesn't seem to get that even will ALL of his supporters, he is still in the minority of the nation!! The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, the extremely poor launch is inexcusable, BUT the CORE principles are EXTREMELY NOBLE!! Poor people in the often called GREATEST nation in the world, should have Affordable Healthcare services. Instead of attempting to destroy it we should be collectively attempting to modify it so those that truly need it can receive it.

His tactics may have had an input at the start but they are not going to be the final decision maker on reopening up the government and the approval of raising the debt ceiling. The government doesn't work or revolve around one person. Ted Cruz knows that, the government knows that and so do the American people. Believe it or not, everyone has minds of his or her own and they will vote in the end according to their own for what is best for our country in the end and not the Ted Cruz way. If anyone is out to hurt all the people in our country, they do not need to be working for our government. The people come first!!

Since he's so down and continually bashing the "Affordable Care Act", then where's his plan????? What's up his sleeve?
He obviously thinks there's something better. If he has a plan, announce it or put it on the table.

I am glad this law is into effect. Cruz has no concept of how many millions of Americans have pre-existing conditions, that could not get the help needed as adults and will now be able to. I am one of the millions. Children have been getting care since 2010 that had pre-existing condition that could not get the care needed.

What CNN needs to start doing is stating all of the positive things from people who are benefiting from the "Affordable Care Act instead of all of the "Negativity" about the law from most "Republicans".

If this wasn't a good law, then the Supreme Court would have never ruled it "Constitutional". Everyone has to pay for his or her own health care, instead of dumping it upon others and the current health care system was "Unconstitutional" because millions of Americans could not get coverage for pre-existing conditions, patients were cut off from care after a certain dollar level was met and still had to pay for the policy to get future care if anything else were to happen ect....

This is the only law ever written that has passed and was ruled constitutional.

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